摘要: 英文合同中常見(jiàn)的易混淆的用語(yǔ)表達(dá)(下) 12、關(guān)于轉(zhuǎn)讓的表達(dá) 「例」 公司的任何一方未經(jīng)董事會(huì)一致通過(guò)及中國(guó)主管審批部門(mén)的批準(zhǔn),不得向第三方轉(zhuǎn)讓、抵押、出售或以其他方式處理其全部或部分投資。若一方要轉(zhuǎn)讓股份,必須遵守以下規(guī)定 句中的轉(zhuǎn)讓一詞多數(shù)
英文合同中常見(jiàn)的易混淆的用語(yǔ)表達(dá)(下)
12、關(guān)于“轉(zhuǎn)讓”的表達(dá)
「例」 公司的任何一方未經(jīng)董事會(huì)一致通過(guò)及中國(guó)主管審批部門(mén)的批準(zhǔn),不得向第三方轉(zhuǎn)讓、抵押、出售或以其他方式處理其全部或部分投資。若一方要轉(zhuǎn)讓股份,必須遵守以下規(guī)定……
句中的“轉(zhuǎn)讓”一詞多數(shù)譯者選用transfer.但我們認(rèn)為用assign更正式,assign/assignment是
法律英語(yǔ),表示to transfer property .rights to sb in accordance with laws;而transfer/transference僅表示to hand over the possession of property ,etc.,因此,本段可譯為:
13、關(guān)于“許可,允許”(allaw, grant)的表達(dá)
Neither party of the Joint Venture may assign ,pledge ,sell or otherwise dispose of all or part of its investment subscribed to a third party without the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors and consent by the appropriate Cinese Government Approving Departments. In case that assignment is effected by one party ,the following stipulations must be observed.。。
「例」 如果許可方允許任何第三方在任何地方使用本專利或相應(yīng)的專利,及有關(guān)特許產(chǎn)品的生產(chǎn)、使用和銷(xiāo)售的許可證,而且其條件比本協(xié)議規(guī)定的條件更優(yōu)惠,許可方應(yīng)立即以書(shū)面形式將這些優(yōu)惠許可的細(xì)節(jié)通知被許可方,被許可方有接受相同優(yōu)惠條件的選擇權(quán)。
原譯文: If the Licensor allows any other license under the Patent or their other responding patents to any third party in connection with the manufacture ,Use and sale Of the Licensed Products in any place under such conditions as are more favorable to a licensee than those provided herein, the licensor shall promptly inform the Licensee in written form of the details 0f such other license and the licensee has the choice to adopt equally favorable conditions.
譯文中的allow(允許,許可)不如用grant正式。grant在國(guó)際商務(wù)合同,尤其在許可證合同中表示許可方to allow the licensee to…,而allow僅表示to say that someone can do sth。
14、關(guān)于“選擇”(choice)的表達(dá)
「例」 。1) Arbitration of all questions in dispute under this contract shall be al the choice Of either party and shall be in accordance with the International Arbitration Rules Of American Arbitration Association.
對(duì)在合同中一切有爭(zhēng)議的問(wèn)題是否付諸仲裁將由任何一方作出選擇,并須按照美國(guó)仲裁協(xié)會(huì)的國(guó)際仲裁規(guī)則進(jìn)行仲裁。
(2) Our products are manufactured from the choice grades of material and will satisfy you in every respect.
我方的產(chǎn)品均用上等的原料制成,因此,在各方面都會(huì)使貴方滿意。
由于以上兩句中的choice的詞性不同,在詞義的確定上也有所不同。第一句中的choice是名詞,意思為“選擇”(act of choosing between two or more possibilities);第二句中的choice是形容詞,意思為“優(yōu)質(zhì)的”(of very good quality)。
15、關(guān)于“傭金”的表達(dá)
「例」 。1) The prices quoted include a progressive commission ,to be calculated on FOB basis ,o f 2%for a single order for 10 dozen or up 3%for 30 dozen or up.
所報(bào)價(jià)格包括累進(jìn)傭金,按FOB價(jià)為基礎(chǔ)計(jì)算,每定單在10打及以上時(shí)傭金為2%,30打及以上時(shí)為3%。
。2) Party B is commissioned by the manufacturers to buy steel plates and this contract shall supersede all previous commitments.
乙方受制造廠家的委托購(gòu)買(mǎi)鋼板,因此本合同將取代以前的一切承諾。
以上兩句中的commission,由于詞性不同,詞義具有很大的區(qū)別。前一句中的commission在合同中經(jīng)常以名詞形式出現(xiàn),意思為“傭金”;后一句中的commission是動(dòng)詞,其意思為“委托”或“代理”。再如:The Contractor shall be responsible for and shall carry out all maintenance work during commissioning period (在試運(yùn)行期問(wèn),承包方應(yīng)負(fù)責(zé)進(jìn)行一切維修工作)。
16、關(guān)于“discharge”的用法
「例」 (1) The time limit for inspection and claim is 60 days after discharge Of the cargo at the port Of destination.
檢驗(yàn)與索賠的期限為貨物卸至目的港后60天。
。2) Party B agrees that the expiration of this license shall not discharge party B from its obligation.
乙方同意在許可證到期時(shí)并不免除乙方應(yīng)盡的義務(wù)。
。3) Routine duties of the Joint Venture Company are lo be discharged by the general manager appointed by the Board of Directors.
董事會(huì)任命的總經(jīng)理,負(fù)責(zé)履行合營(yíng)公司的日常職權(quán)。
以上三句中都含有discharge,在不同的合同條款中,其詞義也有很大不同。第一句中的discharge是名詞(也可作動(dòng)詞)。詞義為:“卸貨”(unloading cargo from a ship),經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)在國(guó)際貨物買(mǎi)賣(mài)合同中;第二句中的discharge是動(dòng)詞,意思為“免除”(releasing one party from the terms of a contract);第三句中的discharge也是動(dòng)詞,意思為“履行”(carrying out one's duty)。 discharge在用作名詞時(shí),還可以表示“一批發(fā)運(yùn)的貨物”,如:Party B shall check the quality of each dispatch in accordance with the Contract(乙方應(yīng)按合同規(guī)定檢查每批發(fā)出的貨物的質(zhì)量)。
17、關(guān)于”leave”的用法
「例」 The Contractor's Site Representative shall be present at the site throughout normal working hours except when on leave sick, or absent for reasons connected with the proper performance of the Contract.
The Contractor shall at all time keep the premises free from accumulation of waste materials or rubbish caused by the Works and at the completion of the Works shall remove all remaining materials from and about the premises and shall leave the Site and Plant safe, clean and ready for Use.
在整個(gè)正常的工作時(shí)間內(nèi),除因假期、患病或由于正當(dāng)履行合同而缺勤等理由外,承包商的現(xiàn)場(chǎng)代表必須到現(xiàn)場(chǎng)上班。在任何時(shí)候,承包商應(yīng)始終避免因施工而使廢料或垃圾堆放在施工現(xiàn)場(chǎng),在施工結(jié)束時(shí),應(yīng)清除所有施工現(xiàn)場(chǎng)及其周?chē)貐^(qū)存放的剩余材料,使現(xiàn)場(chǎng)和工廠保持安全、清潔,以便隨時(shí)可以使用。
以上例句中的兩個(gè)條款中均含有l(wèi)eave一詞,其中第一款中的leave是名詞,意思為:“假期”(time absent from duty or work);第二款中的leave是動(dòng)詞,意思為:“保持”(to remain in a certain condition)。
18、關(guān)于“operation”的用法
「例」 。1) If the vessel had arrived at the loading port within the Confirmed Dates. the loading operation could be carried out now.
如果船只在確認(rèn)日期內(nèi)已到達(dá)裝貨港,現(xiàn)在就能夠進(jìn)行裝貨作業(yè)。
句中的operation是單數(shù)形式,一般表示“操作,作業(yè)”或“經(jīng)營(yíng)”。又如:These first stockholders shall organize and elect a Board of Directors and thereafter, such Board of Directors shall control the operation of the new corporation(應(yīng)由首批股東組織選出董事會(huì),然后,由這一董事會(huì)控制這家公司的經(jīng)營(yíng))。
。2) We welcome any suggestions you may offer for our business operations.
貴方對(duì)我方業(yè)務(wù)活動(dòng)所提出的任何建議,我方都表示歡迎。
句中的operations常用復(fù)數(shù)形式,表示“一種有計(jì)劃的業(yè)務(wù)活動(dòng)”。
19、關(guān)于“折扣”(discount)的用法
「例」 。1)The invoice shall be subject to the usual trade discounts allowed by the Consignor.
發(fā)票須按照發(fā)貨人所給予的通常批發(fā)折扣開(kāi)立。句中的discount意思為“折扣”(amount of money taken off the cost of sth),是商業(yè)貿(mào)易中常用的詞匯。對(duì)某一價(jià)格打折扣,可接用of或on.例如:We are prepared to grant you a discount of 5%on the price(我方準(zhǔn)備給予你方5%的價(jià)格折扣)。
(2)The Buyer shall lodge a 90-day note in Bank of China, Taiyuan Branch for discount.
買(mǎi)方將把一張90天的期票提交中國(guó)銀行太原分行貼現(xiàn)。
句中的discount意思為“貼現(xiàn)”(the amount of money deducted from the face value of a note),是銀行業(yè)務(wù)中常用的詞匯。
「例」 。1) Our end-users consider the Voltmeter to be unfit from application and claim that the instrument be replaced by you with a sound one.
我方用戶認(rèn)為該電量計(jì)不適于使用,要求你方用一只好的替換。
句中的instrument在機(jī)械設(shè)備中,指“儀器”。
(2) The board of directors may authorize any agent or agents to enter into any Contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation.
董事會(huì)可授權(quán)任何代理人以公司名義并代表公司簽訂合同或簽發(fā)單據(jù)。
該句中的instrument在商業(yè)上多表示“正式的單據(jù)或文件”(formal document)。又如:The attorney is authorized to make, sign and deliver any other instrument, whether sealed or unsealed(律師有權(quán)撰寫(xiě)、簽署和發(fā)送任何其他密封或開(kāi)封的文件)。
(3) A party to an instrument may authorize an agent to endorse the instrument but must specify the principal-agent relationship On the instrument.
票據(jù)當(dāng)事人可以委托其代理人在票據(jù)上簽章,但應(yīng)當(dāng)在票據(jù)上注明其代理關(guān)系。
該句中instrument在結(jié)算業(yè)務(wù)中表示票據(jù)的總稱。比如:《中華人民共和國(guó)票據(jù)法》規(guī)定“本法所稱的票據(jù),是指匯票,本票和支票”,英譯為:The term “negotiable instrument ”as used in this law denotes “bill of exchange”, “promissory note'‘ and ”Cheque".
20、關(guān)于freight 的用法
「例」 。1) The Ocean freight and transfer charges from the interior points to the port of shipment shall be paid by Buyer.
該項(xiàng)海運(yùn)費(fèi)及從內(nèi)地發(fā)貨點(diǎn)至裝船口岸的中轉(zhuǎn)費(fèi)均須由買(mǎi)方支付。
該句中的freight在國(guó)際貿(mào)易中常指“運(yùn)費(fèi)” (money charged for carrying goods)。
。2)This freight must be carefully handled when loading.
貨物裝載時(shí)必須小心搬運(yùn)。
該句中的freight在國(guó)內(nèi)運(yùn)輸中一般指“貨物”(cargo or goods which are carried by land or sea or air),不指“運(yùn)費(fèi)”。
21、關(guān)于interest的用法
「例」 he premium rates vary with differed interests insured and with different destinations. routes and carrying periods of insurance.
保險(xiǎn)費(fèi)率隨保險(xiǎn)貨物的不同而變化,也隨目的地、航線和保險(xiǎn)責(zé)任有效期的不同而變化。
句中的interest在保險(xiǎn)業(yè)務(wù)中指“被保險(xiǎn)的貨物”。
。2)If the Buyer fails to pay any amount when due, the Buyer shall be liable to pay to the Seller overdue interest on such unpaid amount from the due date until the actual date of payment at the rate of five percent per annum. Such overdue interest shall be paid upon demand of the Seller.
如果買(mǎi)方未能按期支付到期款項(xiàng),那么,買(mǎi)方應(yīng)支付賣(mài)方從到期之日起算至實(shí)際支付之日止的年利率為5%的利息。一經(jīng)賣(mài)方提出,買(mǎi)方應(yīng)支付該過(guò)期利息。
此句中的interest在國(guó)際支付業(yè)務(wù)中,表示一方由于未能支付到期應(yīng)付的款項(xiàng),而向另一方支付的利息。
。3)The articles of our immediate interest are your “CHUNHUI'‘ Brand Agricultural Washing Machines.
我們當(dāng)前需要的商品是你方的春暉牌農(nóng)用洗衣機(jī)。
該句中的interest譯為“所需要的產(chǎn)品或業(yè)務(wù)”,經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)在要約文本中,詞義主要是從interest(興趣)產(chǎn)生的轉(zhuǎn)義。
22、關(guān)于case 的用法
「例」 。1)In case of any request by either party, the party having possession of the desired records may deliver the appropriate records to the requesting party.
如遇任何一方提出要求,擁有所需記錄資料的一方可將合適的記錄遞交給提出要求的一方。
句中含有case的介詞短語(yǔ)in case of,其含義為“假使,如果”,引出狀語(yǔ)。
。2)The price difference should in no case be as big as USD25 per metric ton.
價(jià)格的差額決不會(huì)大到每公噸25美元。
句中含有case的介詞短語(yǔ)in no case,意思為“決不”,具有副詞性質(zhì),用作狀語(yǔ)。
。3)In case of an order for more than 6000 pieces, Party B allows a special discount Of 6 per cent.
至于數(shù)量在6000件以上的定單,乙方愿給予6%的特別折扣。
該句中的in the case of與第一句的in case of只有一個(gè)定冠詞之別,但其意思卻有很大區(qū)別,前者意思為“至于,就……來(lái)說(shuō)”,而后者的意思是“假如”。
23、關(guān)于allowance 的用法
「例」 。1)Upon the arrival 0f the goods at the place of delivery the Buyers claim an allowance 0f USD 350 On account Of inferior quality.
貨物運(yùn)抵交付地點(diǎn)后,由于貨物質(zhì)量不佳,買(mǎi)方要求索賠350美元。
句中的allowance與動(dòng)詞claim搭配,意思為“賠償費(fèi)”。
。2) Both Party A and Party B shall make a liberal allowance for such unforeseen circumstances arising during transit.
甲、乙雙方應(yīng)充分考慮到運(yùn)輸中所發(fā)生的意外情況。
句中的allowance在make allowance for結(jié)構(gòu)中表示:在做某種決定時(shí),“考慮到某事物”(to consider sth when making a decision)。
「例」 The part of the contract price shall be paid in USD by way of an irrevocable Letter of Credit against presentation by Contractor to the negotiable bank.
合同價(jià)格要根據(jù)承包人要求,在議付銀行以不可撤銷(xiāo)的信用證方式用美元支付。
句中的negotiable作為形容詞在修飾bank時(shí),譯成“議付”。形容詞negotiable就其本身而言意思為:“可談判的”,但是在修飾不同的名詞時(shí)其含義也就不同。試比較:negotiable amount(可議付的金額),negotiable bill of lading(可過(guò)戶證券),negotiable certificate of deposit(流通存單)等。
24、關(guān)于infavour , in one’s favour 的用法
「例」 。1) The Party B shall request his bankers to open an Irrevocable letter of credit in Party A's favour upon receipt of Party A's Confirmation of this order.
一但收到甲方關(guān)于此項(xiàng)訂貨的確認(rèn)后,乙方便要求其銀行開(kāi)立以甲方為受益人的信用證。
句中的短語(yǔ)in one's favour意思為“以……為受益人”。
。2)Our goods that we offer you are much in favour on the European Continent.
我方向你方報(bào)盤(pán)的貨物,在歐洲大陸頗受好評(píng)。
該句中的in favour與上句的in one's favour只相差一個(gè)名詞所有格形式或形容詞性物主代詞,但意義卻大不相同。in favour在本句中的意思是“受賞識(shí),受好評(píng)”。
25、關(guān)于ensure , insure 的用法
「例」 。1) The Foreign Party shall furnish to the Joint Venture Company all the technical data necessary to ensure the effective operation of the machinery.
外方必須向合資公司提供一切必要的技術(shù)數(shù)據(jù),以保證機(jī)械設(shè)備的正常運(yùn)行。
句中的動(dòng)詞ensure意思為“保證,擔(dān)保”,其書(shū)寫(xiě)與insure只相差一個(gè)字母,但意義卻完全不同。又如:
。2) The Seller have insured the goods FPA and against War Risk at the rate of 0.5%for the sum of USD 36,000 with the Insurance company.
賣(mài)方已為該貨物向保險(xiǎn)公司投保平安險(xiǎn)和戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)險(xiǎn),費(fèi)率0.5%,投保額為36,000美元。
該句中的insure表示to make a contract that promises to pay sb an amount of money in case of accident,injury,death or damage or loss of sth.
26、于“稅金”的表達(dá)
「例」 。1) The Contract Price set forth in this Contract shall not include any withholding tariff and any charges imposed on the contractor by the government in New Zealand.
原譯文:
在合同中規(guī)定的合同價(jià)格,不應(yīng)包括新西蘭政府向承包人征收的扣交稅金和任何費(fèi)用。
該譯文中的“稅金”應(yīng)改為“關(guān)稅”。tariff在表示“稅”時(shí),主要用于“關(guān)稅”,即:a schedule or system of duties imposed by a government on goods imported or exported at the rate of duty imposed in tariff.
。2) The China Corporation shall bear all relevant taxes and levies imposed upon the personnel by the Chinese Government, whereas the Employer shall bear the same imposed upon the personnel by the Government of the Project-host Country.
中國(guó)公司應(yīng)負(fù)責(zé)交納中國(guó)政府對(duì)人員所征收的一切稅金;雇主應(yīng)負(fù)責(zé)交納項(xiàng)目所在國(guó)政府對(duì)人員所征繳的一切稅金。
該句中出現(xiàn)了兩個(gè)有關(guān)“稅金”的單詞,即taxes and levies.其中tax在表示“稅”時(shí),主要強(qiáng)調(diào):money taken compulsorily by the government or by an official body to pay for government services; levy作為名詞,主要表示一種“征稅”的行為,即:money which is demanded and collected by the government or by an agency or by an official body.因此,句中的taxes and levies合在一起可理解為:(中國(guó)政府所征收的)“一切稅金”。
。3)The prices quoted above do not include any taxes. duties, impost and any other charges of any kind which may be levied in China.
以上所指的價(jià)格并不包括在中國(guó)境內(nèi)所征收的各種稅款、關(guān)稅、進(jìn)口稅以及其他各種費(fèi)用。
該句中除taxes外,還出現(xiàn)兩個(gè)表示“稅”的單詞,即duty 和impost.其中duty主要強(qiáng)調(diào)the tax imposed by a government on merchandise imported from another country,可理解為“關(guān)稅”。但duty在表示“關(guān)稅”時(shí)與tariff是有本質(zhì)區(qū)別的,前者主要表示tax to be paid for importing,而后者除表示tax to be paid for importing外,還可以表示tax to be paid for exporting,所以,在翻譯duty時(shí),一般應(yīng)結(jié)合上下文寫(xiě)成:“在某國(guó)內(nèi)所征收的關(guān)稅”;句中出現(xiàn)的另一個(gè)表示“稅”的單詞是impost,這個(gè)詞純粹表示“進(jìn)口稅”,但不一定是通過(guò)海關(guān)所征的稅。
27、關(guān)于pledge, mortgage 的用法
。3)乙方將其50萬(wàn)美元的定期存款單移交甲方占有,將該單證作為債權(quán)的質(zhì)押憑證。
The Party B shall deliver his certificate of fixed deposits of USD 500, 000 to the Party A for possession and take the said fixed deposits as mortgage Of the obligatory right.
該句是一則借款合同中的擔(dān)保條款。乙方將存款移交給甲方作為擔(dān)保,屬于擔(dān)保方式中的“質(zhì)押”,而且是一種“權(quán)利質(zhì)押”。顯然,譯文中用mortgage表示“質(zhì)押”是不能完全達(dá)意的。mortgage盡管也表示用財(cái)產(chǎn)擔(dān)保,但這種擔(dān)保方式是以不轉(zhuǎn)移財(cái)產(chǎn)的占有向債權(quán)人擔(dān)保;本款中的擔(dān)保是以轉(zhuǎn)移財(cái)產(chǎn)的占有向債權(quán)人作為擔(dān)保,屬于transfer of objects or documents to Creditor as security for a loan.因此,“質(zhì)押”選用pledge 較妥,mortgage屬于“抵押”的范疇。